Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Chamblee Georgia
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Chamblee GA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to assure your success, it’s important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school with numerous options? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school need to be considered also. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can assess and compare every one prior to making your selection. But first, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and opportunities will be the same. The fastest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Chamblee GA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Georgia to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. A few of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the profession are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more popular and may be a good alternative for individuals living in Chamblee GA searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs offered at community and junior colleges in the Chamblee GA area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most potential students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Chamblee GA law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact several Chamblee GA law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also present an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Chamblee GA legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Georgia legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ among states, it may be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Georgia or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be necessary to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you want to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Chamblee GA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Chamblee GA. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Chamblee GA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the school you choose makes available that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Chamblee
Enroll in the Best Chamblee Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the ideal paralegal training school is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Chamblee home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each program and make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Chamblee Georgia.